What Is the NAICS Code for AI Companies?
What Is the NAICS Code for AI Companies?
There is not one universal NAICS code for every AI company. The right code depends on what the business actually does. Some AI businesses are software publishers. Others build custom systems, host model infrastructure, provide consulting, or conduct research and development. The phrase “AI company” describes a technology focus, not a single NAICS industry by itself.
This is why AI businesses are often misclassified. Two companies may both describe themselves as AI firms, but one may earn revenue from software subscriptions, another from custom development, and another from R&D contracts. SICCODE.com helps narrow the right code by focusing on the business function, delivery model, and primary source of revenue.
How to classify an AI business
Software product company
If the company sells a packaged AI software product or subscription platform, a software publishing classification may be more appropriate than a services code.
Custom AI development
If the company builds AI tools, models, or integrations for clients, a custom programming classification may be a better fit.
Model hosting and infrastructure
If the company provides model serving, computing infrastructure, or hosted AI processing, infrastructure and data processing classifications may be more appropriate.
Research and development
If the business is primarily engaged in applied research, experimentation, or technical development, an R&D code may fit better than a commercial software code.
Need expert help choosing the right code?
SICCODE.com provides free reference information to help you narrow likely options. When the answer is still unclear, expert assistance is available through CodeMatch.
CodeMatch is useful when an AI business could reasonably fit under more than one NAICS or SIC code, especially when the company blends software, services, infrastructure, and research.
Common NAICS codes reviewed for AI companies
The codes below are common starting points for AI and generative AI businesses. The right choice depends on the establishment’s primary activity.
| NAICS Code | Official Title | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| 513210 | Software Publishers | May fit AI companies selling packaged software products, model-based applications, or subscription software platforms. |
| 541511 | Custom Computer Programming Services | May fit firms building custom AI systems, integrations, copilots, workflow tools, or client-specific model applications. |
| 518210 | Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | May fit hosted AI infrastructure, model serving, API inference platforms, or large-scale processing environments. |
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | May fit businesses primarily engaged in technical AI research and development rather than commercial software publishing or services delivery. |
| 541690 | Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services | May fit some specialized AI advisory and technical consulting firms, depending on how the work is structured and delivered. |
Examples by AI business type
- An AI SaaS company selling a packaged product may fit under software publishing.
- An agency building custom models and integrations for clients may fit under custom programming services.
- A model hosting platform or GPU-backed inference provider may fit under computing infrastructure and data processing services.
- An applied research lab focused on technical development may fit under an R&D classification.
Why correct classification matters
AI is a high-confusion category. Broad keyword targeting often mixes software publishers, consultancies, infrastructure providers, labs, and unrelated firms that only mention AI in their marketing. Better classification improves list targeting, appending quality, segmentation, and market analysis.
Related NAICS resources
AI is not a standalone NAICS industry. The best fit usually follows how the business actually operates and earns revenue.